returning to simple living

Tag Archives: PMS

Apparently I occasionally fall into the deep end of the hormone pool and maybe become just slightly unbalanced. Only slightly. And I’m almost certain it’s usually someone else’s fault. I’ve been playing around with essential oils lately, so I looked around for something that might help keep me out of the deep end.

I found a recipe for bath oil that called for ylang ylang and clary sage essential oils to be added to jojoba oil (a carrier oil), but jojoba oil is expensive, so I asked about alternatives at our health food store. The owner recommended grapeseed oil, which she uses for everything and it had the bonus of being relatively cheap. So, I tried it with very nice results.

The ylang-ylang oil “has a euphoric and sedative effect on the nervous system and helps with anxiety, tension, shock, fear and panic while the aphrodisiac qualities is useful for impotence and frigidity”. I think it smells nice. And if I’m using it for PMS, we can probably rule out that last part.

“The estrogenlike properties of clary sage essential oil may help restore your hormone balance and alleviate some of your symptoms.” (livestrong) I wouldn’t say this one smells nice, but it’s not offensive. And baths make me happy.

Bath Oil Recipe for PMS Relief

1/2 cup jojoba oil (or grapeseed or similar oil)

16 drops Clary Sage Essential Oil

16 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Blend the oils together and store in a glass bottle (apparently a dark bottle is better, but I had a clear one – probably fine if you store it in a cool dark spot). After you have drawn your bathwater, add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the bath oil blend to your bath water.

A cup of epsom salts as well made this a very soothing bath. Book and music optional, but recommended. The aches and pains of the day were soothed, therefore the mood was better and I did sleep peacefully all night (which isn’t as common as it should be). I didn’t have a single dream about living all alone in a cabin in the woods (which is more common than it should be).

This is also a very nice thing to do for someone you love if you see that it’s needed. Don’t say anything stupid out loud, just run the bath for her and retreat.